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Summary: same story, different character names
Review: This is Joy Luck Club all over again, but less interesting because it follows the stories of fewer characters.The happy ending is pathetically contrived and sudden. The protagonist's boyfriend and his daughters are so unappealing in the first half of the book, it's very jarring to have that turned upside down so suddenly. This can be an enjoyable read, but don't expect anything new.
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Summary: The subtle turn of a phrase
Review: "As quickly as it takes to snap a twig, Amy Tan writes,"that's how fast the mind can turn against what is familiar and dear." And with that finely exquisite sentence, she captures the essence of life's central experience: the surprising realization that everything is the same, and everything has changed. Liu Ling's contemporary existence in the lovely, rich textures of San Francisco is engaging, but it's the context of Liu Ling's mother's life, linking past with present, which captivates me.
This book is my first read by Amy Tan, and it won't be my last. For me, "this is how it started."
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Summary: wonderful book!
Review: I really enjoyed this novel. It was one that was hard for me to put down. I have never read The Joy Luck Club, but if it is anything like The Bonesetter's Daughter, then it is something I need to read. Amy Tan's style is unique and her story touching.
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Summary: Another lovely book of mothers, daughters, and the past
Review: I've read all of Amy Tan's novels and I thought this was the best of all. Her books are strangely similar, with the Chinese mother, the Chinese-American (first generation) daughter, the San Francisco Bay Area settings, the complex relationship between the mother and daughter and the influence of the past (and sometimes past lives). It works, though - it's what I keep coming back for. It works because it almost seems like the same mother and daughter are being shown in different lives (her books often have such spiritual, mystical aspects that include past lives). This book seemed the most touching, with some of the loveliest passages. Reading it, I got tears in my eyes several times. There was also some really good dark humor, such as when Ruth (the daughter) recalls trying to kill herself in various ways at the age of eleven when she thinks she's pregnant (while never having been with a man). It's wonderful how as an adult she learns about her mother, who is suffering from Alzheimer's. In learning her mother's story, she learns her own. Tan's books are wonderful even if you don't have an Asian background (you basically just need to have a mother). I always wished I could mention to this author that my own mother is from Hungary, and she is extremely similar to the Chinese mothers she writes about, and my relationship with her (because I'm a first generation American too) is similar. There isn't this spiritual, mystical, ghost and past life influence in Hungarian culture, but there is definitely the constant criticism from Mom, the high expectations, the complex relationship, the misunderstandings, the anger, the resentments - everything she writes about. Tan writes for all mothers and daughters. As many times as she writes these types of characters and this type of setting, I'll be there.
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Summary: Wonderful section on China in early 1900s
Review: I admit that I had some difficulty getting into this book. Part of my struggle has to do with the fact that my own mother is in a nursing home suffering from senile dementia. Reading the first section of Ms. Tan's book was like reliving the process of accepting my mother's deteriorating condition, and then making difficult decisions on my mother's behalf. In this first section Ruth, a Chinese-American book editor who lives with, but is not married to Art, discovers that her mother has Alzheimer's Disease. Because of her concerns about her unmarried status (fueled by her mother's disapproval), as well as her need to deal with her mother's health, she is forced to make some major decisions about her own relationships. Aside from my own issues, I felt that the first section of the book was merely a "set up" for the second section. This part, which tells the history of Ruth's mother, takes place in China and is fascinating. I was particularly impressed by Tan's description of the culture and spirituality of Chinese writing. She describes how the caligrapher does not simply put pen to paper and draw characters; drawing begins as a process within, travels down the arm and into the fingers and then onto the paper. I loved the names of places and people--a Village called Immortal Heart, the name, Precious Auntie (the bonesetter's daughter). Ms. Tan weaves some 20th Century Chinese history into this section of the book, and we see ordinary Chinese people as victims of invading Japanese soldiers as well as Mao's Communists (a must read for a view of 20th Century Chinese history is the novel, The Wild Swan). The third section answers some lingering questions about the bonesetter's daughter and her family. It also resolves the situation between Ruth and Art, and Ruth and her mother. Ruth is able to place her mother in a very expensive assisted living home (primarily through the funding of her estranged lover), and despite misgivings about her mother's acceptance of her new living conditions, all goes smoothly. (Trust me, putting your mother into a final living situation is never smooth). The mother even finds a love interest, which Ruth feels improves her Alzheimer's symptoms (please!). We learn all the family secrets, Ruth goes back to her man, and the book ends a tad too "happily ever after".
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Summary: Good read!
Review: While this isn't up to par with her other novels, in my opinion, this is excellent Tan. Obviously, this story is very near and dear to her heart and it shows. The story is very touching, although I did not feel quite as drawn to these characters as I have those in her previous novels. Still, it's hard not to like something written by Amy Tan.
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Summary: Amy Tan again at her best!
Review: The Bonesetter's Daughter is a poignant moving story of three generations grandmother, mother and daughter set in China and California. Funny at times but richly emotional this book is a must read. This book is about understanding the people who mean most to you while trying to unearth their past. Extremely well written - touches your heart.
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Summary: Amy Tan shows her talent
Review: As usual, i loved this Amy Tan book. I love all of her books. This one particularly moved me because it has a good ending to a rocky relationship full of doubts (in the modern-day american couple). Not only extremely creative and intense recount of generations of chinese ancestors and their sufferings and loves, but also this great modern twist that i could relate to.
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Summary: The secret lives of mothers that daughters never know
Review: This novel is almost a few stories within one story. The present of a daughter dealing with her frustrating mother, raised in a different country and lifestyle, getting old and losing her memory. The past of their growing up together. The distant past of her mother growing up in a very different culture. It makes you want to sit down and ask your mom: just what didn't you tell me about who you were before I knew you? If you get the chance, get this book and listen to an unabridged version: I don't remember who does the reading of the women, but the Chinese accents of the mother and auntie add so much to the tale. It's a well written story that weaves back and forth flawlessly, seamlessly and effortlessly. Your mind doesn't have to stop with each transition.
Considerably better than the Joy Luck Club!
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Summary: a finely woven story
Review: Amy Tan masterfully weaves together the stories of mother and daughter - growing up a girl in China and growing up a Chinese-American in the U.S. She also touches the face of Alzheimer's disease and how it can impact a family. All of the stories are intriguing. As one is layered against another you see the similarities of these seemingly diverse women. The events are at time funny - at other times painful - but always touching. The reader can never go wrong with Amy Tan. Her stories are a great read. I would also recommend the audiotape version of the books (which are read by the author). Sometimes it is nice to hear a story told aloud. In either media, Tan is a fantastic storyteller. Also don't miss "The Joy Luck Club".
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